The former '7th Heaven' actress - who is engaged to long-term boyfriend Justin Timberlake - admits she had a wild side while she was growing up - although it used it madden her bosses.

She said: ''I cut my hair super short and dyed it blonde. I had to apologise to Aaron Spelling [the producer] for doing that. He wasn't happy.

''When I turned 17 or 18, a really obnoxious friend sent a stripper to the set. I had to apologise for that too. The show was all about family values, and they took that position seriously. I was always apologising.''

Having decided to pursue an acting career at the tender age of 11, Jessica, 30, admits she had a tough three years of auditions before landing the role in the television series.

She told W magazine: ''When I was 11, I was in a competition sponsored by the International Modeling and Talent Association. My runway look was a one-piece bathing suit, a top hat, and a bow tie.

''The competition was in Los Angeles and afterward I got a manager and an agent. I tried out for a billion things, and after three years, I was cast on the show '7th Heaven'.

''I wanted that part. I wanted any part. And that show was fun. I was a basketball player who was going through all the stuff that a 14-year-old goes through, which is, as you know, completely psychotic.''